White-headed Woodpecker

A very plain small warbler without wingbars. Olive-green above with a yellow-washed pale belly and a thin yellowish brow stripe that is strongest above the eye. Tickell’s and Alpine Leaf Warblers are extremely similar; note Buff-throated’s weaker brow pattern that considerably weakens before the eye, shorter bill with a darker tip, and duller buff underparts. Yellow-streaked Warbler can also be similar; again, compare Buff-throated’s shorter bill, as well as its dark grayish (instead of pale pink) legs, yellowish-buff non-contrasting throat, and more yellowish-green upperparts. Radde’s and Dusky Warblers can also be a source of confusion on migration and during the winter, but are visibly larger and bulkier, with distinctly tan-tinged brow stripes. Buff-throated breeds in montane forests up to the treeline, and descends into foothills and lowlands in the winter, where it prefers scrubby habitat. Song is a loud, vibrant “tee-tee-tee-tee-tee,” often with a quiet introductory note. Also gives quiet, somewhat cricket-like chirps and chirrups. 

A small, slim endemic warbler common throughout New Zealand. Gray-brown above and paler gray to off-white below. Tail is darker, tipped with white, most noticeable in flight. Adults have a distinctive red eye. Juvenile similar, with yellow coloration and brown eyes. Male has a distinctive long, bubbling musical song. Female gives short “chirp” contact calls. More often heard than seen, this species forages for insects in the forest understory or scrub, sometimes hovering among the outer foliage and twigs. On mainland New Zealand, this is the only host species of the nest parasite Shining Bronze-Cuckoo, and so Gray Gerygone parents can be encountered feeding much larger cuckoo chicks. Despite inhabiting the same areas, distinguishable from Silvereye by slightly larger size, greener upperparts, and lack of a white eye-ring.

A highly distinctive medium-sized raptor. Black overall with a thick white breast band and rusty-edged white stripes on the belly. Slender crest may be held vertically or at an angle when the bird is perched, but tends to be hidden during flight. If seen flying from above, note the “checkerboard” patterning on upperwings. Favors foothill and lowland forests when breeding, but can be found in more open habitats on passage and in wintering grounds. Quite social outside of the breeding season, often soaring in large flocks and roosting communally. Gives a squeaky, echoing whistle, often while in flight.